She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

Chen Xiangbei: "It's none of your business."

Chen Xiangnan had just run outside and picked up one of those small sticks that he had told Grandma Xia before, the kind that hurts a lot when you hit someone. He handed it to Grandma Xia at that moment.

"You think I can't control you? You're the only one who can keep an eye on my and your dad's money, and I can't control you? Fine, I won't control you anymore, I'll just beat you to death today."

Grandma Xia was very skilled at wielding the stick. She loved this stick and wanted to keep it as a keepsake so that anyone who made a mistake would be punished.

Chen Xiangbei was beaten and ran around the house in a frenzy. Old Mrs. Xia felt a little tired of chasing him. "Second son, catch him."

Chen Xiangnan went wherever he was told, and whatever his mother said, he agreed. Moreover, he was still a little angry about what Chen Xiangbei had just said to him, so he immediately grabbed the man.

Grandma Xia whipped him several times, and Chen Xiangbei screamed in agony; it really hurt.

His second brother was indeed a heartless scoundrel, actually finding such torture instruments. He felt that his skin was already torn and bleeding, and he might need to stay in bed to recover.

He hated Chen Xiangnan even more, and, with a sob in his voice, he cursed, "You're not human, none of you are human."

He eventually cried after being beaten, tears streaming down his face, making him feel extremely ashamed.

A real man shouldn't be beaten until he cries... Waaah... It hurts so much.

Will you steal again in the future?

Chen Xiangbei shook his head, his eyes red.

Seeing that Grandma Xia had stopped hitting him, Chen Xiangbei immediately broke free from his second brother's grasp, glared at them, and dared not curse anymore. He slunk back into the house to check his injuries.

There was no bloody mess as he had imagined; only red marks, painful to the touch, and some parts were swollen. He inhaled deeply and cursed silently, not daring to utter a sound, cursing in his heart.

But he was a big-hearted person; seeing that he hadn't bled, he felt that his mother had shown mercy.

After feeling sorry for myself for a while, I realized it wasn't so bad after all. Anyway, it's all over now. I should eat a couple more bowls of rice tomorrow to make up for it. Thinking like this, I fell asleep.

Chen Xiangnan was somewhat concerned about him: "I'll go put some medicine on him, otherwise the wound will turn purple tomorrow."

Old Chen had hidden in the kitchen since Chen Xiangbei started cursing, only listening to the noise outside and not coming out himself.

After the commotion subsided, he slowly walked out. His legs were still a little numb from squatting for so long.

Hearing what the second brother said, he said, "He locked the door, so you can't get in. He should suffer for a few days to teach him a lesson."

Chen Xiangnan secretly rolled his eyes, disdainful of his father's hindsight advice.

Grandma Xia was too lazy to pay him any attention. After all these years, she knew what kind of person he was. What else could she do but make do and hope he would treat her better in the future?

Seeing that no one paid him any attention, Old Chen felt awkward and went inside to sleep. He still had scratches on his face from fingernails, all because of that wretched third son.

Chen Xianghong returned on a rainy day. Before that, Grandma Xia had sent her a letter, telling her to come to her sister's wedding if she had time, and not to come if she didn't, since she wasn't an important person anyway.

I initially thought her letter meant she wasn't coming, but she unexpectedly returned ahead of schedule.

After living in Haishi for a few months, she became a different person. Putting aside her clothes, her temperament alone was completely different from before.

Grandma Xia almost didn't recognize her.

"Mom!" Chen Xianghong ran over with a smile, "I'm back."

Grandma Xia was overjoyed, "Xiang Hong, my Xiang Hong!"

The two hugged each other.

"Let Mom see, she really looks different, she's become prettier and fairer."

Chen Xianghong turned around and asked, "Have you gained weight?"

Grandma Xia nodded, "You look better now; you were too thin before."

The mother and daughter returned to the house affectionately, but Old Mrs. Xia immediately heard some shocking news.

"Mom, I'm dating someone."

The old prince's wide grin snapped shut. "What did you say?"

Feeling a little guilty, Chen Xianghong had no choice but to repeat, "I'm in a relationship."

Grandma Xia closed the door and pulled her into her bedroom. "You're dating someone? Didn't I tell you you weren't allowed to date? Why don't you listen to me?"

"You're so easily fooled, kid. Did they threaten you again?"

Chen Xianghong shook her head, "No, Mom, it was my own choice."

Grandma Xia slammed her hand on the table in anger. "That brat must have sweet-talked you into submission! Let me tell you, young men in big cities are all talk and no action. He might just be lying to you. What kind of person is he?"

Chen Xianghong lowered her head, somewhat shyly, "Mom, he's tall and big, a very honest person, and he's good to me too."

Grandma Xia immediately retorted, "You can't judge a book by its cover. Look at your second brother. He looks gentle and mild-mannered on the outside, and seems to have a good temper, but he's actually cunning. You can't tell if someone is honest or not after a short time. Maybe he's just pretending. If he wants to be with you, of course he has to be good to you first. Otherwise, why would you be with him?"

"His character isn't necessarily good."

Chen Xianghong: "His family is quite well-off."

Grandma Xia: "Why would someone from a well-off family target you? They must think you're easy to fool."

Chen Xianghong: "But he is a very upright person and is always willing to help others."

Grandma Xia: "Maybe he was just putting on a show for you, otherwise why would you be so foolish as to believe him?"

Chen Xianghong: "Mom, you've never even met him, so why are you talking badly about him?"

Grandma Xia retorted, "You're even helping him now. Let me tell you, you should break up with him honestly. I've found several good young men for you here. You can just get married to whoever catches your eye, and you won't have to go to the countryside anymore."

“Several of Mom’s colleagues are leaving recently. Mom is going to ask if they can apply for early retirement so that this opportunity can be reserved for you.”